In the News: Garrity Talks to Spectrum News about Keeping Kids Safe Online

Maria Garrity, lecturer in Buffalo State College’s Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department, was featured in a September 10 Spectrum News story on ensuring that children stay safe online as Western New York students in kindergarten through 12th grade begin partial or full remote learning this fall.  

Cybersecurity is top of mind for Garrity, who also serves as a senior systems programmer for the college’s Information Technology services. In early August, she participated in a workshop on cybersecurity that CIS faculty members offered for free to Western New York educators, Computer Science for High School (CS4HS). To prevent web-based attacks, Garrity advised participants to have a secure Wi-Fi connection and secure password and put parental controls and updated security patches in place.  

In the TV story, Garrity suggested that schools integrate cybersecurity into the curriculum so students can learn important safeguards early and then continue to update their knowledge as they get older.

Photo by Bruce Fox, campus photographer.